what steps do I have to take to be a chef with a television show?
I'm a junior in high school and can cook very well. I also Took several cooking classes but have no idea on how to get discovered who to speak with to get to that point. #chef #cooking #culinary
4 answers
Conor’s Answer
I asked Mario Batali ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_Batali ) about this very subject when he showed me around his recent Eataly expansion in Manhattan in May 2011.
Basically, you have to prove yourself as an apprentice and an assistant and become competent in a whole host of different cooking techniques, including the presentation, to wind up with your own television show. This will take many years.
Your end goal is definitely in the realm of possibilities, and I don't want to discourage you from pursuing it, but it requires a lot more work than many young chefs expect nowadays, who sort of expect to "run the show" after just a short while.
Read Batali's bio. His path to his food empire was certainly not paved with gold along the way and I would imagine the same is true of most celebrity chefs nowadays.
So: what are the first steps you take? Work in a restaurant to see if you have the commitment and desire to invest the effort in working your way up in the restaurant world.
If you like it, great; then you know you can put in the long hours and hard work - with no immediate payoff - to invest in your career as as a chef.
Otherwise, there is no shame in switching to something else that suits your interest.
To sum up, being a celebrity chef with your own restaurant, store, television show, etc. is the tippety top of the food chain, and you have to be comfortable with the roles that are required to get there as well if you want to eventually try to become one. Good luck - if you put the time in I am sure you can cook up something great!
Eli’s Answer
It's awesome to find something you enjoy and feel good at it. As a junior, now is a good time to explore the restaurants that are around you. Being in New York, there are hundreds of restaurants that would take someone on (paid or unpaid) for a few months, maybe a summer, for what is called a trail or stage. Its like an internship. It gives you a chance to learn about how a professional kitchen works and begin to make some connections. This is not as much about being recognized as it is about continuing to learn. Do some research on restaurants that you can get excited about and seek out a trail or stage.
Jillian’s Answer
Karla’s Answer
The better strategy is:
become excellent at food + develop a personality/point of view + build an audience + get on camera + create opportunities for casting.
1. First, decide what makes you you
Being a good cook isn't enough for television. Producers need a reason for people to want to watch you.
Think about what your show would be.
For example:
A teenager exploring food from different cultures
Budget cooking for students
Regional/local food
Baking
BBQ
International cuisine
Cooking challenges
Farm-to-table cooking
"I recreate restaurant dishes"
Cooking with family
Food + travel
Ask yourself:
"If I had a 30-minute show tomorrow, what would I actually want to talk about and cook?"
That becomes your identity.
2. Start making videos now
This is probably the biggest thing I'd recommend.
You don't need a television network to give you permission to start.
Create short videos showing:
yourself cooking
recipes
techniques
food challenges
personality
explaining why you're doing something
YouTube, TikTok and Instagram can function as your first "television network."
And don't obsess over expensive equipment. A phone, decent lighting and clear audio are enough to begin.
Your goal isn't necessarily to become a huge influencer.
Your goal is to demonstrate:
"I can cook AND I can communicate."
That's extremely important for television.
Food Network's own history demonstrates this distinction. Food Network Star, for example, tested contestants on both their culinary ability and their on-camera chops.
3. Learn to be comfortable on camera
Practice talking while cooking.
Don't just make beautiful food videos with music over them.
Try saying:
"Today I'm making ___, and the trick is ___."
Then explain what you're doing.
Practice:
introducing a recipe
explaining techniques
telling stories
interviewing someone
reacting naturally